Sony A77, measurements and review of the world’s first 24 MPix APS-C camera

When the Sony A77 was announced a couple of weeks ago as a replacement for the Sony Alpha 700, Sony’s semi-professional APS-C camera, we were all very impressed by its specifications. So we were really excited to see how it would perform in our tests.

Here are our results.

First of all, as expected, Sony doesn’t propose a classic DSLR but uses its “translucent mirror” technology to enable the light passing through the lens to reach the image sensor and the auto-focus sensor simultaneously. In addition to reducing camera size, this technology enables full-time phase-detect auto-focusing and a high continuous shooting speed—up to 12 fps in full resolution.

But the main innovation that everybody was looking forward to seeing in action is the 24-megapixel APS-C sensor. Sony had already shaken the industry when they were able to fit 16 MPix on an APS-C-sized sensor while offering a high level of quality comparable to the acclaimed Sony SLT A55, Sony NEX C3, Pentax K5 and Nikon D7000. Now they’ve managed to put 50% more pixels on the same surface. But in doing so, did they end up compromising the image quality—in particular the level of noise (excellent on the 16 MPix version)?

Sony SLT A77 vs Sony SLT A55 vs Sony Alpha 580

The A77 gets a good low-light score of 801, especially if you keep in mind that the translucent mirror takes away part of the light coming in — the main reason for the Alpha 580’s better low-light ISO score, as it has a standard mirror mechanism. (To learn more about this, read this detailed comparison of the Sony A35 vs the Alpha 580.)

As we can see in the comparison, this low-light score is very similar to that of the A55 (818), proving that Sony managed to keep the same excellent level of noise despite the reduced size of each pixel on the sensor.

We also point out that at ISO 50 and ISO 80, the Sony A77 can make simply stunning images thanks to its very good dynamic range and color depth.

Sony A77 vs Nikon D7000 vs Canon EOS 7D

In this category, the very good EOS 7D seems a bit behind now, suggesting that now could be the right time for Canon to introduce a successor. The comparison with the Nikon D7000 is similar to that for the Sony Alpha 580, as they both use the same Sony sensor.

Sony A77 vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Nikon D700

Apart from a lower low-light ISO score due to its translucent mirror, the Sony A77 comes very close to matching these full-frame cameras. This demonstrates that even if the full-frame format dominated the high-end market when launched, they have now lost a big part of their advantage. They are closely followed if not overtaken by the best APS-C cameras (of which the Sony SLT A77 is one). So it may also be time for this category to develop new models to take advantage of the latest sensor technologies.

Sony A77: a very good semi-professional camera

In conclusion, thanks to its capacity to take innovation ever further and to break the limits of sensor design, Sony is about to bring on the market a very good semi-professional camera body. The next question is the capacity of the accompanying lenses to address the challenge of these very small pixels. The DxOMark lens measurements should give us an answer very soon.

Last but not least, as the same sensor will be used by the Sony A65 and the Sony NEX 7, we should see some nice reviews very soon. It will be especially interesting to see the NEX 7 results, as it doesn’t use a translucent mirror and thus should be able to take full advantage of this amazing sensor.

Further readings for the Sony A77, measurements and review of the world’s first 24 MPix APS-C camera

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

We are already acquainted with the D3200: apart from a few ergonomic details, it’s the same camera as the compact and lightweight D3100 SLR, though missing the secondary display on its bridge for even greater compactness. The D3200 weighs only 454 grams (without battery or card). Unlike the D3100, the D3200’s lens is off-center for better balance and the highly practical LiveView/video mode activation tab of the D3100 and the D5100 has disappeared in favor of a more ergonomically mundane video recording button. The D3200 comes with a second (dorsal) infrared sensor to complement its front sensor for more practical infrared remote control. The motor selection tab (single-frame, burst, timer, remote control) is gone as well, again replaced by a direct-access button.

Ever since we tested the Sony SLT A77, we’ve been very curious to see how the soon-to-be released Sony NEX 7 would compare. And today we have the answer: as we expected, the absence of a mirror gives the NEX7 some advantages. Below is a detailed look.

Sony announced this “Translucent Mirror Technology” reflex camera in early June 2011.

The aforementioned technology, already featured on the Sony Alpha 33 and Sony Alpha 55 consists in allowing you to shoot on continuous-shooting mode (or burst mode) without the shutter-induced strobe effect. In layman’s terms you do not see the shutter occlusion in the viewfinder.

Comments

A year later with the Sony SLT-A77

12-12-12 We captured over 250,000 images so far this year with our Sony SLT-A77s in our concert and wedding photography divisions. We change out our cameras quickly so that we don't get too high of a shutter count to hurt the resale. We are now on cameras number 4, 5, 6, and 7, all Sony A77s. We love everything about these cameras and once we got used to them the results keep getting better and better. We have changed out and upgraded all of our lenses... it is not fair to this camera to shoot with anything less than the best glass.

Our lens battalion now consists of:-Tokina 11-16 2.8(excellent low light super wide angle, great for video. Very sharp with excellent color. Not good for long distance or extreme closeups)) -Sony 16-50 2.8 (our 1st copy of this lens wasn't quite right and I'm glad we got another one... very sharp, great color, silent focus, great for video)-Sony 18-135 (this lens surprised us and gave results close enough to our Minolta 28-135 to replace it. Add in the better electronics and slightly better low light usability and you have a great walk around DAYTIME lens. Very sharp, excellent color)-Sony 35MM 1.8 (excellent low light lens, portrait lens, perfect for indoor video. Extremely sharp with excellent color, great for extreme closeups)-Sony 50MM 1.8 (excellent low light lens, portrait lens, perfect for indoor video. This is our go to lens if the 35MM is already being used on another camera. Extremely sharp with excellent color)-Minolta 80-200 2.8G (my favorite lens and I use it whenever I can. Excellent sharpness and color. The only downside with this lens is the 6' "MFD" minimum focus distance)

Some of the other great lenses we have tried on the Sony SLT-A77:Minolta 20MM 2.8Minolta 50MM 1.7Minolta 28-135 4-4.5Minolta 500MM f8 AFTokina 19-35Tokina 20-35Minolta 17-35 2.8-4Minolta 28-85Minolta 100-300 APO

Some of the lenses we tried and were very unimpressed withTamron 17-50 (sharp but color was way off)Sony 18-200 (soft on both ends)Sony 18-200 (soft on both ends)Sony 18-55 (best maker of 18-55 but still garbage)Sony 18-70 (one of the worst lenses ever made)Tamron 75-300 (sharp but bad color)Sigma (tried many, not impressive compared to Sony or Minolta)Here's some links to recent photos taken with these cameras and lenseshttp://www.rocklegendsphotographers.comhttp://abetterdj.zenfolio.com/f573970812

Why high ISO advantage for A77 over A65?

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Sony/SLT-Alpha-77">this page on the website</a></div>I posted something similar on the A65 page, but I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on why, given both are using the same sensor, that the A77 scores 801 in high-ISO while the A65 only scores 717. I understand why the A77 might score higher overall due to the lower ISO range, but not why it would be better in low light.

Looking at the NEX-5N vs the NEX-7, the high-ISO performance difference isn't as great (1079 for the 5N vs 1016 for the 7) and they are using sensors with significantly different resolutions.

Re: Why high ISO advantage for A77 over A65?

Re: Why high ISO advantage for A77 over A65?

I don't see an advantage. From among the A77, A65, and NEX-7, all of which use the same sensor, the A77 and A65 have almost identical scores for SNR 18% and Dynamic Range. You may also notice that the SLTs' scores are a little bit shy of the scores for the NEX-7, no doubt due to the light lost to the PDAF system via the "Translucent Mirror".

We just put the SONY SLT-A77 through the ultimate test!

We just shot over 9,000 photos and 2 videos in 4 days with our 2 SONY SLT-A77s!

We just returned from a gig as official photographers of the Rock Legends Cruise. I shot about 5,000 photos with my A77 using my (favorite) MINOLTA 28-135MM 1:4-4.5 lens and my wife took about 4,000 photos using her SONY SLT-A77 using her favorite... the SONY 16-50MM 2.8 lens.

We shot about 75% of the indoor shots with no flash. You can read a review of the cameras performances and see the photos and videos under the RLC Cruise photo tab at http://www.abetterdj.net ENJOY!

Fuzzy wuzzy was a bear... to deal with!

SONY SLT-A77 with the new SONY 16-50 2.8 lens

SONY could have easily called this lens a "G" lens!

Our 2nd A77 with the 16-50 lens came in on Wednesday and I can't seem to leave it alone (HELP! I'm taking photos and I can't stop!) This camera and lens were made to be together. The sharpness and color beat all of my legendary Minolta glass and the speed is incredible! Photos are processed and already showing on the LCD before your subject is finished saying cheese.

This one is going to be permanently attached to my wife's A77 since she's the primary shooter but I might just have to get another one for my own A77 if I can convince myself that I'm no longer addicted to my MINOLTA 28-135 1:4-4.5! That lens has been so good to me I can't bear the thought of bagging it.

The A77s grow on us more and more every day. I was kinda jealous of some of our other shooters that had the SONY zoom button, our A55s didn't and I wished they did. I love zooming in with the 28-135 then hitting the button twice and getting that fabulous crop. I also have a 100-300 APO that looks great doubled to 600MM... kinda makes me want to go for a 100-400 APO!

We've posted some great flower shots with the A77/16-60 combo on our site... just got to the SONY|MINOLTA tab http:www.abetterdj.net

The SONY A77 is awesome.

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Sony/SLT-Alpha-77">this page on the website</a></div>We didn't have the patience to wait for the US release of this camera plus we were worried it would be pre-sold-out (like happened in the UK), so we ordered 1 from Hong Kong (2 day delivery $1329 US). We sold one of our 3 SONY A55s to make room for it in our camera tub and all we can say is WOW!

We've had ours for 6 days now and shot about 300 test shots before shooting our 1st wedding (800 shots) last Saturday. We were not expecting much photo quality improvement over the A55s but boy were we wrong. The detail, sharpness, and color that this camera put out were a noticeable improvement from our A55s.

The wedding we shot was very dimly lit and the camera had no problem making the proper adjustments. We shot all night in Auto to put it through the tests. The camera reacted well and is super fast both in AF speed and shutter reaction. Out of 800 shots we had 798 useable, with the 2 bad ones being an ooops and one shot that the flash didn't fire. There was no noise at all in any of the photos taken.

The camera is larger, but not too large for my wife's normal female sized hands. The weight was actually less than we expected and she was comfortable during the whole 6 hour shoot. We never experienced a lag time while the buffer unloaded and we got almost 700 shots from the SONY battery. The buttons and dials are all nicely placed and after a few days of getting used to the camera we have found everything to be easily accessible. There is very little need to go into the menu once the camera is set up for your shoot, there are buttons for just about everything.

For anybody thinking of buying one of these... stop thinking and start your preorder process, it is well worth the $1400 selling price. We will be replacing our A55s with A65s soon, but the A77 will continue to be our primary camera.

We've posted some sample shots at www.abetterdj.net and will post some of the wedding shots Thursday or Friday.

One more thing... in case you didn't know the legendary MINOLTA lenses work perfectly on these cameras! You will get much more bang for your buck going with these. We shoot exclusively MINOLTA lenses on all our SONYs. Our primary lens is a MINOLTA 17-35MM 1:2.8-3.5 and our A55s are both equipped with MINOLTA 28-135 1:4-4.5 lenses. We also bag a MINOLTA 100-300MM APO lens for long distance shots at concerts we shoot. We are the official photographers on the Rock Legends Cruise in December www.rocklegendscruise.com and will be posting about 15-20,000 photos to share with everyone :D